“Did you mean it?”
She sighed.
“I was overwhelmed.”
“Did you want me to live with Aunt Ria?”
“I was overwhelmed.”
“At the time, I considered it.”
I held up the paper.
“Dad believed you wanted us to be a family.”
“We were a family.”
“Then why have you spent four years telling me I’m lucky you let me stay?”
“We were a family.”
“I’ve provided for you.”
“While making sure I knew you didn’t want to.”
“You’ve had a roof over your head.”
“And you made me afraid to lose it.”
Vanessa looked away.
“Dad trusted you,” I said. “He believed your promise.”
“I’ve provided for you.”
“I tried, Zoe.”
“Then when did you stop?”
I folded the letter and put it back inside the envelope.
“Aunt Ria’s coming tomorrow.”
Vanessa turned sharply.
“You invited her?”
“I tried, Zoe.”
“Yes.”
“Without asking me?”
